The most capped player in the history of the club, “Marqui” was entitled to a nice tribute on Sunday, after PSG-Lyon (4-1).
Rai, Ronaldinho, Thiago Silva… Many Brazilian players have marked the history of Paris Saint-Germain over the years. Marquinhos is part of this caste. The most capped player in the history of the capital club since the reception of Barça (2-3), in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League, the Parisian captain was entitled to a beautiful tribute on Sunday, at the end of the 4-1 victory against Lyon, during the 30th day of Ligue 1. His 438th appearance in the Rouge et Bleu jersey, 11 years after his arrival, in 2013, at just 19 years old. Three more than the previous record holder, Jean-Marc Pilorget.
«mark» was first entitled to a big ovation when he was replaced, shortly after the hour mark. He was then duly honored by the club. A huge Parisian logo placed in the middle of the field, guard of honor with the Parisian players and staff, his wife and children present at the edge of the pitch, fireworks, a commemorative trophy and the PSG speaker, Michel Montana , to pay tribute to the 29-year-old Brazilian defender.
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PSG is my life.
Marquinhos
Palpable emotion from the person concerned when taking the microphone and addressing a jubilant Parc des Princes. “It’s incredible, an evening with a lot of emotion for me. I was only 19 when I arrived… 11 years ago. I didn’t think (to play so many matches). For me, the greatest pride is to wear this trophy today. I wanted to thank the president first of all, he has trusted me since the first day. Thank you also to all the teammates I have worked with during these 11 years, it’s a lifetime. PSG is my life. I spent a good part of my life here.”enjoyed the Brazilian international (84 caps, 7 goals) with 28 trophies in Paris.
And to continue: “All the coaches I had (Blanc, Emery, Tuchel, Pochettino, Galtier, Luis Enrique, Editor’s note), the people on the staff who worked hard for the success of the club. A thought too, I cannot forget, for Mr. Jean-Marc Pilorget, who had this record for years (435 matches, Editor’s note), he is a legend of the club. I spoke with him again in recent days and I saw him proud that someone was taking over as the most capped player in the club’s history. It’s an honor for me, a great pride, to wear this jersey, these colors, it’s an enormous responsibility, it’s a huge club, which has great ambitions. Today, being captain of this team and making history with so many matches played is a source of great pride for me.”the smile «Marqui”, whose contract runs until 2028 and who has already clearly expressed his desire to continue the adventure.
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Link renewed with supporters
Formerly of Corinthians and Roma, Marquinhos also had a word for the supporters. Last season, he attracted the wrath of some of them when he saw fit to talk about «sacrifices» what the players are doing, at a time when the rag was burning between the fans and the team, the club. It’s forgotten. “They are magnificent. Since the first match here, I have worn these colors, I never gave up, I always gave my best on the pitch, I never cheated. We are professional players, we are not perfect, sometimes we are not at our best level. But I think the pride and honor of wearing this jersey and these colors have always been there. The fans know it. This is why there is a lot of admiration on my part towards them, and vice versa”he promised to the cheers of the crowd and before starting a lap of honor, greeting all the stands for long minutes.
Unlike the day he broke Pilorget’s record, and this defeat against FC Barcelona, Marquinhos was able to celebrate after a perfect week and the victories at Barcelona and against OL. “It’s true, we have two very good performances, very good matches, very good resultshe admitted in the mixed zone, after having finished his moment of communion with the public. We must continue this momentum. We talked about it in the locker room, we told ourselves that we shouldn’t give up now. This is the most important and decisive moment of the upcoming season. It was especially important to give a good answer today. In a match after C1, there is sometimes less good. Today, we really tried to give a good answer”.
Here alongside Michel Montana, Marquinhos was celebrated by the club and the Park. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Indeed, there was no post-Champions League relaxation against OL. By scoring twice in the first six minutes, the Parisians got off to an ideal start. Ambitious in its game plan, Lyon suffered in the first period, conceding four goals. The adjustments made by Pierre Sage at the break simply made it possible to avoid leaving Paris with a suitcase. And this while PSG managed at the end of the match and Luis Enrique had made a significant turnover at kick-off. Lucas Hernandez (suspended) and Nuno Mendes (spared) were missing, but Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé took their place on the bench. “It shows the value of the team, the quality of the players who returnedsouligné Marquinhos. It also highlights the coach’s philosophy. Everybody is ready. With his training, his speech, his tactical plans, everyone knows what he has to do on the pitch. Afterwards, no matter which player is called upon to play, we always try to maintain the level. With the titles we are aiming for, if you have a squad that can maintain the level, that makes the difference.”he continued.
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We must not relax now.
Marquinhos
What titles? All ! After winning the Champions Trophy at the start of the year, PSG is still in the running in all competitions. The title of French champion is perhaps for Wednesday in Lorient. There will also be the Coupe de France final on May 25 against Lyon, but also and above all the Champions League, with a semi-final to play against Dortmund on May 1 and 7, before a possible final on June 1 at Wembley.
“We have an end to the season with great goals to achievehe indicated to the public at the Park. The championship is there, it’s open. We’re going to go get this title. The Coupe de France final is here, we’re going to go get it. And the Champions League, it’s there, we’re going to go get it too!” And to add, in the form of a message to supporters: “We need you 100% to give us a great atmosphere, like today. During all away matches, we feel it, you are always with us. We thank you for all the efforts you make. And we, on the ground, will give 100% in order to achieve our objectives”. In the mixed zone, after recalling that he “always respected this club and this jersey, these colors”, «mark» insisted that he “We have to continue the work because we have very beautiful things that are very difficult to find. We must not relax now.”. So close to the goal, it would indeed be a shame. There is no more.
